Geotechnical Characterization of Some Indian Bentonites for their Use as Buffer Material in Geological Repository

Rao, Sudhakar M and Kachroo, Tahir Ahmad and Allam, Mehter M and Joshi, MR and Acharya, A (2008) Geotechnical Characterization of Some Indian Bentonites for their Use as Buffer Material in Geological Repository. In: The 12th International Conference of International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (IACMAG), 1-6 October, 2008, Goa, India.

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Abstract

The present study examines the geotechnical properties of Indian bentonite clays for their suitability as buffer material in deep geological repository for high-level nuclear wastes. The bentonite samples are characterized for index properties, compaction, hydraulic conductivity and swelling characteristics. Evaluation of geotechnical properties of the compacted bentonite-sand admixtures, from parts of NW India reveals swelling potentials and hydraulic conductivities in the range of 55 % - 108 % and 1.2 X 10 –10 cm/s to 5.42x 10 –11 cm/s respectively. Strong correlation was observed between ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) and liquid limit/swell potential of tested specimens. Relatively less well-defined trends emerged between ESP and swell pressure/hydraulic conductivity. The Barmer-1 bentonite despite possessing relatively lower montmorillonite content of 68 %, developed higher Atterberg limit and swell potential, and exhibited comparable swelling pressure and hydraulic conductivity as other bentonites with higher montmorillonite contents (82 to 86 %). The desirable geotechnical properties of Barmer clay as a buffer material is attributed to its large ESP (63 %) and, EMDD (1.17 Mg/m3) attained at the experimental compactive stress(5 MPa).

Item Type:	Conference Paper
Keywords:	barrier;bentonite;nuclear;waste
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2011 09:05
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2011 09:05
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/40750

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